The rematch between Julian Williams and Jarrett Hurd, originally slated but never officially announced for Dec. 14, is now off of the table.

BoxingScene.com’s Keith Idec reported earlier Wednesday that Hurd has decided not to fight Williams next, citing multiple sources. When BoxingScene.com reached out to Williams Wednesday for comment following the development, the WBA, IBF and IBO super welterweight titlist who convincingly beat Hurd via unanimous decision in May was aware of the news that their rematch was cancelled.

“Our first fight was a really good, fan-friendly fight, but it appears he has other plans. I’m not going to bash him. I don’t know what happened. You have to ask him,” Williams said. “Things change in boxing, man, what can I say. I don’t really know how to feel about it. If he doesn’t want to fight, that’s his prerogative. Smart move if you ask me. I wish him the best. I don’t have anything bad to say about him.”

BoxingScene.com reached out to a PBC spokesperson for comment and they did not have any first-hand knowledge that the fight was called off as of the publishing of this story.

Williams believes Hurd, who stands at 6-feet-1 and is one of the bigger boxers within the 154-pound division, simply couldn’t make weight anymore.

“I have no idea at this point if I ever fight him. I don’t know if he moves up, or not,” said Williams. “I’m pretty sure my team will get together and get me a fight I deserve to stay busy. I’m always willing to fight the best available guy. I’m ready and prepared.”

In recent weeks, Williams and his trainer Stephen Edwards have been taking to Twitter calling for Hurd to agree to 90-day VADA testing.

When Williams was asked if Hurd eventually balked at the thought of VADA, he paused and rhetorically asked: “What do you think? … I’m not accusing anyone of anything … but … you know.

 “Drug testing in boxing has always been important, but no one has ever shined a light on it. Boxing is dangerous enough as it is, and I don’t think anyone should have secret edges using performance-enhancing drugs. It needs to get cleaned up right now before someone gets really hurt. If that happens, someone with a higher power is going to step in.”

The rematch between Williams and Hurd was shaping up to be one of the most exciting encore shows of the year. It was slated to be televised on FOX one day before the NFL game between the Eagles and Redskins on the same network.

Williams (27-1-1, 16 KOs, 1 NC) is a Philadelphia born-and-bred fighter, and Hurd (23-1, 16 KOs) is from Accokeek, Maryland. The juxtaposition of the two hometowns, combined with the elements of pigskin and the platform FOX provided would have given PBC a plethora of programming options to publicize the second installment.

“I was excited to fight him again,” Williams said. “The Ring title would have been on the line. It was the No. 1 versus the No. 2. That would have been special to me, because as many great champions as the city of Philadelphia has had, there have only been two Ring titlists in Bernard Hopkins and Danny Garcia from Philly. I’ll still get it, but it just won’t happen next.” 

Williams said he will have no problems making a fight with any of the other top 154 pounders in the world. He wants to face the winner of WBC champion Tony Harrison and Jermell Charlo to unify the titles, but that fight hasn’t even been rescheduled yet since Harrison suffered an ankle injury that forced a postponement of their original June rematch date.

“I have to put in extra work now that everyone wants my place. It’s a great position to be in, don’t get me wrong,” said Williams. “Now, it’s just about putting in more work to keep the titles here in Philadelphia.”

Manouk Akopyan has been a member of the Boxing Writers Assn. of America since 2011 and has written for the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, the Guardian and Philadelphia Inquirer. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan or via email at manouk.akopyan@gmail.com.